Kingfisher Lake

Les Etangs de l'Abbaye or Abbey Lakes was founded in 1999 by Sébastien Harle d'Ophove who had a unique aim in mind, to create Europe's first angling centre for both carp and catfish.   The complex officially opened it's doors for business during March 2000 and now provides fishermen with a choice of 6 lakes.

Kingfisher is something of an unknown quantity. Formerly marketed as Abbey's 'predator' Lake during the early years, it has started to throw up some seriously good looking and seriously heavy carp in equal measure during the past 2 or 3 years,This is why in 2019 we decided to start the removal of the catfish as the potential of kingfisher as a carp lake was massive and after just 1 season of removals it has proved the right decision as the weights of the carp are increasing to staggering figures!! 

At roughly 32 acres in size, this almost rectangular lake has it all. Depths range from 2'-42', there is a huge gravel bar that comes up from 24' to a depth of 2' under the surface, nearly cutting the Lake in to 2 halves. There are gorgeous, clear, deep margins with depths up to 12' just a rod length out, a vast silty area nearly 6 acres in size, rafts of canadian pondweed and also a huge 'resident' weedbed along one bank that dominates almost a quarter of the lake in the height of Summer!  

Nobody is entirely sure quite how many carp are present but The average size of these is somewhere around 35lb and with around 60 different 40lb+ fish and 14 different 50lb+ carp at least 4 over 60lb and 1 breaking the magical 70lb barrier it is fair to say that the potential is still very much untapped!  there have been sightings of even bigger during the spawning period!

These fish are by no means easy to catch but for the time being are still relatively naive and as a result, some big hauls are possible! One final thing of note regarding Kingfisher is the fact that due to the additional weed growth and the size of the catfish, it is possible to use a rowing boat at all times of the year and consequently you can ONLY use one for the playing and landing of fish.

Details on the other lakes in our complex can be found here:

Heron Lake - 35 Acres
Fox Lake - 25 Acres
Attila Lake - 18 Acres
Wild Boar Lake - 14 Acres
Frog Lake - 4 Acres (exclusive hire only) 

1. Maximum of 3 Rods ONLY, unless you have paid the supplement for a 4th!
2. Fishing is only permitted from numbered pegs.
3. a) NO flat or beanie style unhooking mats are to be used, only high-sided ones such as the JRC XL, Chub Xtra protection or Fox STR are to be used.
b) ALL anglers must carry and USE disinfectant to treat EVERY fish caught
4. NO carp sacks - FLOATING retainer style slings ONLY - Fox STR, Chub Eazi-flow, Venture XL, etc..
5. Landing nets must be over 42" in diameter. NO Keep nets to be used at any time.
6. a) ALL carp over 60lb are to be witnessed, weighed and photographed by a member of the Abbey Lakes staff regardless of time.
6. b) ALL carp over 50lb must be photographed over the water and NOT on the bank please.
6. c) All fish caught are to be weighed and photographed IMMEDIATELY and NOT left in a retention sling until the morning.
7. a) ALL Rubbish is to be bagged and tied securely and left in the rubbish hut located between Attila and Heron lake for staff collection!
b) Under NO circumstances are you to dispose of any excess bait in the margins of the lake or in the bushes around your swim!
8. NO nut baits at all are to be used !
9. Anyone found using their surroundings as a toilet will be asked to leave the complex immediately.
10. Strictly NO treble or 'Bent' hooks to be used on ANY of the lakes, for ANY species.
11. Bait boats are permitted BUT care must be taken to ensure you keep within your swim boundaries. Anyone not adhering to this rule will be barred from using their boat immediately.
12. You MUST remove your footwear prior to entering the sanitary block.
13. You MUST clean the shower block EVERY time you finish using it. Anybody found flouting these rules shall be asked to either rectify the situation immediately or will be asked to leave the complex.
14. Leadcore IS permitted.
15. Barbed hooks ONLY! And a minimum of a size 6, a polite suggestion would be to use hooks of size 4 or above!
16. Minimum 15lb breaking strain mainline
17. Absolutely NO fixed leads to be used
18. Absolutely NO spinning for Predators on the complex, Anyone found to be flouting this rule will be asked to leave the complex!!!
19.Other than Kingfisher lake, The use of rowing boats is Forbidden on the complex! If and when the weed level is up on the lakes, you may use a boat to help land fish but must check with a member of staff! We will announce if and when you need to bring a boat over during the summer months on this website and via our facebook page!
20. Maggots can ONLY be used during the WINTER period
21. Metal framed cradles may NOT be used. Only padded mats with padded sides.

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR ANGLERS ON KINGFISHER LAKE:
1. NO treble hooks.
2. NO wire traces to be used.
3. Catfish are to be returned to the water as soon as possible.
4. The use of a rowing boat is permitted on Kingfisher Lake, for the sole purpose of playing / retrieving fish ONLY and not placing baits . It is COMPULSORY to wear a life jacket at ALL times when in the boat and this is authorised only with the understanding that it is the unique responsibility of the Angler(s) involved.
5. NEVER wear any style of waders if you are going out on the lake in a boat, Abbey Lakes would like to draw your attention to the fact that due to ours being a natural fishery, we cannot be responsible for the weather or how and when the fish choose to feed ,The Bailiffs as with all the staff at Abbey will be more than happy to help answer any questions you may have and do all they can to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay during your time here. 

Advice for fishing in France can be found HERE.

GPS:
Lat 49.336261749268
Lon 2.703619956970

ADDRESS

Les Etang de l'Abbaye, Ferme de l'abbaye, F-60126 Longueil Sainte Marie, France

PHONE

+33 344 380 866

EMAIL

info@abbeylake.com

WEBSITE

Lake Website

SOCIAL FEEDS